-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The score looked close , but Spain 's domination was all too apparent as the world champions began the Confederations Cup with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay on Sunday .

The eight-nation tournament is a warm-up for next year 's World Cup in Brazil , but on this evidence Vicente del Bosque 's team will once again be favored to lift the trophy .

`` It 's very difficult to generate any kind of danger when you do n't touch the ball , '' said Uruguay striker Luis Suarez , who scored a superb late consolation with a curling free-kick that matched the one by Italy 's Andrea Pirlo against Mexico earlier in the day .

`` Spain is the best side in the world . They are a candidate to win the World Cup , '' Suarez added .

His team trailed after 20 minutes of the Group B opener in Recife when Pedro 's volley was diverted into the net by captain Diego Lugano , completely wrongfooting goalkeeper Fernando Muslera .

If that effort had a slice of luck , Spain 's second in the 32nd minute was straight from the counter-attacking guidebook .

Suarez lost the ball deep inside the opposing half , and seconds later it was in the Uruguay net as striker Roberto Soldado finished off a clever pass from Cesc Fabregas which beat the offside trap .

With Spain in control , Uruguay 's frustrations grew -- and the team which finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup and won the South American title the following year could have gone 3-0 down as Fabregas hit the inside of the post .

Suarez , who has been publicly courting a transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid , showed flashes of the brilliance which made him one of the top scorers in the English Premier League last season .

His 88th-minute set-piece was too good for keeper Iker Casillas , who started the match despite being frozen out at Real in 2012-13 under the Spanish club 's former coach Jose Mourinho .

Italy joined hosts Brazil on three points in Group A after beating Mexico 2-1 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro .

Veteran Juventus midfielder Pirlo celebrated his 100th international appearance with the opening goal in the 27th minute , curling a superb right-foot shot past goalkeeper Jose Corona .

Javier Hernandez leveled before halftime from the penalty spot after Andrea Barzagli brought down Giovani dos Santos , but striker Mario Balotelli showed great strength to hold off two defenders and fire a 78th-minute winner .

However , he was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration -- earning a rebuke from coach Cesar Prandelli .

`` Mario needs to stop showing off his muscles . With celebrations like that , he 's only going to pick up pointless yellow cards , '' Prandelli said .

`` As for Pirlo , I do n't have words to describe what he did today . He 's the epitome of football and an example to everyone . He deserves a big round of applause . He gave us the lead and controlled the game . ''

Mexico coach Manuel de la Torre said his players had hoped to play a cautious game and wear down the four-time World Cup winners .

`` But we were up against a great side who were very well organized and made the most of their individual assets . That 's what made the difference , '' said De la Torre , whose team suffered a first defeat since August .

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Luis Suarez hails Spain after his Uruguay team is beaten 2-1 in Confederations Cup in Brazil

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Pedro 's deflected effort puts Spain ahead before Roberto Soldado doubles lead in 32nd minute

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Striker Suarez reduces the deficit with a late free-kick in Group A match in Recife

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Mario Balotelli gives Italy a 2-1 victory over Mexico in Group B opener in Rio earlier Sunday